Teen who survived machete attack stabbed to death a year later

A TEENAGER has been hacked to death by a gang after surviving an earlier "punishment slashing" with a machete.

Police said Jonjo Highton was "needlessly and savagely" attacked [CAVENDISH]

Jonjo Highton, 18, was killed on Saturday night after a gang of men allegedly accosted him at his Preston home and stabbed him in the head and body.

Seven suspects are being questioned over the murder, as officers confirmed that the victim had survived a vicious machete attack last year, which left him with wounds so deep that his bones were exposed.

Two men are currently serving a total of 16 years in prison for that attack.

Police believe that the killing could be related to gang feuds between locals from the Avenham and Moor Park areas of Preston.

Detective Superintendent Eddie Thistlethwaite of Lancashire Police said: "This has been an absolute tragedy for an 18-year-old boy and his family.

"Jonjo was attacked needlessly and savagely and I believe this is a horrendous case of one a group of young people attacking at random a member of another group of young people.

"I feel for Jonjo's family who are loving and decent people.

"Jonjo was injured previously just over a year ago, people were prosecuted for that offence and I'm determined that people will be prosecuted for this brutal offence as well."

Two men are currently serving a total of 16 years for the first attack on Jonjo [CAVENDISH]

Jonjo was a young, good-looking 18-year old boy who did not deserve this

Detective Superintendent Eddie Thistlethwaite

He continued: "Jonjo was a young, good-looking 18-year-old boy who did not deserve this. He has lovely parents and brothers who are deeply upset by this incident.

"It was an extremely vicious and unprovoked attack."

Jonjo was first attacked in June last year after Avenham gang members swore revenge on Moor Park after a group of men attacked a convicted drug dealer.

He underwent a long rehabilitation period after undergoing plastic surgery and struggling to walk again, but declined to testify against his attackers.

In November last year, Shaun Tyer, then 33, and Dylan Cornwell, then 17, both admitted wounding with intent.

Tyrer was jailed for eight-and-a-half years and Cornwell got seven-and-a-half years, while a third man was cleared.

Police investigating Jonjo's murder are trying to trace a dark blue Vauxhall Vectra registration number KG04 EJU, which was seen at the incident.

They are also appealing for information on a silver or grey Renault Megane Scenic that was also seen in the area.

Anyone with information should contact Lancashire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.